ISLAMABAD: Federal Law Minister Farooq H Naek Tuesday said the committee is trying hard to reach a consensus on the judges’ restoration issue and hopefully the outcome would be positive.

In an interview with a private television channel the minister said, “we are trying hard with the hope that the committee would reach a decision before the deadline of May 12”. Asked why Fakhruddin G Ibrahim has quit the committee the minister said holding of different points of view is the right of every individual and it is part of democratic culture. He, however, expressed the hope that the renowned legal expert would be back with the team soon. The minister said that no decision has yet been made to induct another member in the committee to replace Fakhruddin G Ibrahim.

He said in case the committee fails to reach a consensus decision then matter would be referred to the top leadership of PPP and PML-N along with divergent notes of the members. Then it would be up to the leadership to make a final decision, he added.

To another question Naek said during the Dubai meeting between Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari it was also decided that the leadership of other coalition partners would also be taken on board on a final decision.

According to the Online news agency while talking to journalists on Tuesday the federal law minister made it clear that the Election Commission of Pakistan didn’t ask him to give his opinion regarding delaying of bye-elections for two months thus he had nothing to do with the EC decision.

Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Khawaja Muhammad Asif Tuesday said that pro-status quo forces were active to block the way of democratic process and postponement of by-election was a move in this direction.

In a telephonic interview to a private television channel the minister said that conspiracy factors in the country wanted to sabotage the coalition governments at centre and Punjab but the PML-N along with democratic forces would not allow such moves to succeed.

The minister said that according to information it was Rehman Malik who advised the NWFP government to seek postponement of by-election on law and order ground adding surprisingly the entire leadership of PPP has criticized this decision.

He said the PML-N would continue struggle for the restoration of deposed Judges and the strengthening of democratic institutions in country whatsoever the consequences are. He said the party was ready to sit on opposition benches at centre as well as Punjab but it would not compromise on principles. To a question he said the decision regarding postponement of election was Shahbaz Sharif specific move.